Fenton Johnson, "Sweet Love O' Dusk" (1927)
By Fenton Johnson
Bespangled and dipt in fire of stars the robe
I wrap around my aching form and lie
In ecstacy beneath the world-old skies
And stretch my arms to those who lost my love
When they would seek a mine that held the gods
Of every pagan realm; and through my veins
The ancient warmth diffuses riotous
And eager for eternal cooling breath.
For I who wandered through a maze of curse
And knew the scorn of those I strove to aid
Have found a newer realm, a sacred grove
Where I can woo that star-crowned maid of dusk
Who brought to light a brood of sorrow folk
And place on her a wedding ring of flowers
That none but God can break.
Tis good to know
She walks and chants her songs no man can sing
And hear her voice in every scented breeze;
For she has waited long that I should come
And hid herself among a faithful few
In cave whose seal responds to magic’s charm.
But now that starry scented night has dropt
To earth she glides to me and clasps me hard
And presses on my lips a natal kiss
And bids me let the curses die; for man
Can weave no curse that lives, nor stay sweet love.
I revel here a thousand thousand nights
And elves do dance around my wedding couch
And ever in my arms the maid o’dusk
And ever in my dreams her tender love
That guides me o'er a thousand thousand streams.
Then blow your pipes and let your minstrelsy
Bloom golden ’neath a starry canopy;
For all the years have come and death is cold
And wrapt in shroud and laid in catacomb.
Published in The Crisis, October 1927